Dear Parents
The staff have spent the day preparing the school for Monday’s return of all our pupils. We are excited about this next stage and very much hope the children are feeling confident and happy about coming back. We are aware that some may be feeling anxious but please know that we will be keeping an eye out for them to ensure they feel comfortable.
I wanted to thank every one of my team for their collegiate and professional approach; their Herculean effort in, once again, creating the industry standard for online learning. The teachers, who have been creative, patient, kind and engaging have managed the children online; they have differentiated, challenged and supported.
And to the assistants, who have often had back to back 1:1s, small group interventions, listening to reading, and so on. A huge support to the teachers and to the learning of our children, especially our younger pupils and those with learning difficulties.
A special mention to the thoroughly hard-working and focused team of Key Worker Staff in the Library. The intensity has been challenging at times, so enormous thanks for the support they have given to both the children and the staff working remotely.
Nursery and Pre-R children have been in throughout and enjoyed the dedication from those teams. I know how appreciative the Pre-R and nursery parents have been of Vicki and Charlotte and the team at the nursery, and Jen and Dawn here at school.
The admin team (front office, finance, surgery) have played a crucial role. In addition to their Test Centre duties, which often went well into the evening; they have achieved a huge amount in the background and my thanks to them. In particular, my thanks to Abigail Wills, my PA and Admissions Registrar, who has provided enormous support across a number of areas; rarely respecting working hours or days of the week in the process.
Tina and a reduced catering team have been providing lunches for the nursery, Pre-Rs and Key worker children and staff throughout the closure and we are all looking forward to the full team keeping us fed and watered from Monday.
Our grounds staff have been ensuring the site is looking good. Mike Pavey, our caretaker, has not had a school day off throughout this whole pandemic/closure and his calm and expert support is hugely appreciated.
And finally, my thanks to the members of the Leadership Team who have been so supportive of us all in addition to their various other responsibilities. Thank you to Mrs Bradbury, Mr White, Mrs Boddice and Mr Cook.
I thank them all both professionally and personally for working together as a team to ensure Holmwood House children are the best cared for kids on the block!
With best wishes
Alexander Mitchell
Headmaster